As a free-to-play, Vigor’s survival depends on attracting newer players to the table. While a skill gap inevitably exists between players new and old regarding map knowledge and weapon mechanics, new players still find themselves on a fairly even playing field - bring a competent weapon (you may have found before getting a blueprint) and you stand a fighting chance at defeating a veteran, as long as you think with a tactical mindset. At least, it used to be that way.
Starting with the introduction of mortar strikes ( I believe anyone could earn the portable signal detector blueprint), every season has added new tools that significantly enhance an outlanders performance, regardless of weapon. The mortar strike is a reliable way of clearing an enemy from cover (excepting buildings, another issue entirely) and the armor plate helps keep an outlander alive a little bit longer in a firefight. Both were and are fantastic additions to the game, both adding to the distinctly exciting risk-reward factor - how much am I going to bring into this encounter to ensure victory? Both features have spiced up gameplay significantly.
However,
Players who enter the game after the season these items were introduced are no longer able to obtain a blueprint for them. These items can only be obtained by luck while looting (generally trucks or cars) or by killing another player who brought them in. An inability to produce these items in a workshop will always put the newer players at a disadvantage, for each item they own becomes more valuable to them than say a player with the blueprint, who can always make more. The same remains true for all new weapons as well. While it has been nerfed considerably, imagine never being able to make more Gewehr 3 SG1s back in their prime. As a new player, would you not be troubled that the veterans around you always had superior weaponry you couldn’t hope to compete with, even after earning all the blueprints? Not having access to cosmetics makes sense, if they were available after the season there would be no incentive to play during that time - and they’d become less valuable since everyone could get them. Items that actually affect gameplay (Particularly game changing ones) make more sense to be available, in some earnable fashion, for all players new and old to ensure game longevity.
